Page 16 - Southern Exposure - November '24

Page 16, Southern Exposure

nortHern notes

Living With Sandhill Cranes

By Katie Roundtree, Director of Finance and Administration, Northern Palm Beach County Improvement District

Sandhill cranes, with their populations can be of People inadvertently put
their long legs, necks, and concern in certain areas. They them in harm’s way when
distinctive gray plumage, are attracted to open areas in feeding them, thinking they
are a sight to behold. urban settings such as golf are being kind. It is never a
Their striking appearance, courses, parks in subdivisions good idea to feed wildlife. In
including the patch of red and undeveloped land in fact, in 2002, the Florida Fish
skin on their head, sets them commercial areas. and Wildlife Conservation
apart as they stand almost As omnivores, sandhill Commission made it illegal
4 feet tall. You may spot cranes play a crucial role to feed sandhill cranes
them near preserves and in Florida’s ecosystem. (Florida Fish and Wildlife
wetlands, in parking lots, or Their diet, which includes Code 68A-4.00(3)). Why
even walking across roads, plants and small animals was this done? Cranes can
seemingly oblivious to danger. They often travel in small like snails, frogs, worms, become aggressive when fed by people. When they are used
groups or pairs, sometimes with their young ones in tow, and grubs, provides natural to a free meal, they will continue to return and demand it when
adding to their unique charm. biological control for their it is not offered. Cranes returning to a yard where they have
grazing areas. This unique been fed are prone to injury by cars as they cross the street
pest control service they offer to get to the yard. They are also more vulnerable to predation
is one of the many reasons we appreciate their presence in by dogs or cats, especially young cranes. Occasionally, birds
our environment. Sandhill cranes spend most of the daylight cause damage to property as a territorial defense behavior
hours in areas where food is most abundant, generally upon seeing their reflection in cars or window screens.
walking several miles a day through dry pastures, fields, wet Pesticides in yards and urban areas can also be of concern
meadows, or marshes in search for food, eating as they go. as they forage for food in the ground. Feeding them can
disrupt their natural foraging behavior, making them more
susceptible to these dangers.
Look around and enjoy these beautiful birds interacting
with our Florida environment. Give them space if you
encounter them and be mindful of them crossing or walking
in our roadways. Finally, please do not feed them for the
good of the cranes and Florida’s delicate ecosystem. For
more information, please visit the Florida Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Commission website at www.myfwc.com.
NPDES tip: Safely use and dispose of pesticides. If all of
the pesticide cannot be properly used, check with your solid
waste management authority to find out when and where to
properly dispose of this type of hazardous waste.
Two subspecies of sandhill crane live in Florida at
certain times of the year. The Florida sandhill crane (Grus
Canadensis pratensis), numbering 4,000 to 5,000, is a non-
migratory year-round breeding resident. They are joined Experience Dentistry
every winter by 25,000 migratory greater sandhill cranes
(Grus Canadensis tabida), the larger of the two subspecies,
that winter in Florida but nest in the Great Lakes region.
Sandhill cranes mate for life and attract mates using an
elaborate dance. These cranes nest during late winter and with a
early spring on mats of vegetation found in shallow water
such as preserves or marshes. Sandhill chicks can leave the
nest as early as eight hours after hatching and can swim if
necessary. In the wild, crane chicks follow their parents and
peck food from their beaks. By the time they are two to
three months old, they are independent and can find food on Woman’s Touch
their own. They are doting and protective parents. One bird
will watch out for the others while feeding. Juveniles stay
with their parent from 9 to 10 months after hatching. Before
juveniles are old enough to breed, they may travel and feed
in flocks called “bachelor flocks.” Cosmetic & Comprehensive Restorative Dentistry
They have been around for a very long time. The first
known sandhill crane fossil was found in the Macasphalt
shell pit in Florida. It was estimated to be about 2.5 million State of the Art & Same Day Restorations
years old. They are not endangered, but due to habitat loss,

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